Music and Medicine 2014

NEW YORK MEDICAL COLLEGE AND METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL CENTER HOST “MUSIC, MEDICINE AND METROPOLITAN”

Program will focus on Beethoven, the impact of his deafness and the strong connection between medicine and music

Valhalla, N.Y., October 2, 2014—New York Medical College (NYMC) and Metropolitan Hospital Center are pleased to host the “Music, Medicine and Metropolitan” program on Wednesday, October 8. The program, hosted by Stephen Moshman, M.D., professor of clinical medicine at NYMC, will focus on Beethoven and the impact of his deafness, followed by a musical performance by a string quartet from the Conservatory of Music at SUNY Purchase.

When asked about his intentions for the program, NYMC Chancellor and CEO Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A., explained: “For health care providers, music can be a diversion from their daily activities, a way of connecting with their own inner lives. It can be an entryway into thinking about the causes and implications of disease such as Beethoven’s deafness, or a clinical and research interest such as the diseases to which musicians are subject to or to understand the way the brain processes music.” Additionally, many health care students are gifted in music.

“Music plays such an important role in the lives of our patients and staff,” said Elizabeth Guzman, acting executive director of Metropolitan Hospital Center. “Musical performances such as these lift the spirit and motivate us all to live to our fullest potential. We’re happy to be able to share this informative and entertaining program with our hospital community.”

The program coincides with the unveiling of an impressive marble plaque purchased at auction by alumnus Jay Tartell, M.D., ’82, and donated to the College. It served as the plaque for the predecessor of Metropolitan Hospital on Ward’s and Blackwell’s Islands in the East River: The New York Inebriate Asylum. Historical sources indicate that the asylum served Civil War veterans and that it ultimately became the first facility of Metropolitan Hospital. View photos from the event here.